Of Mice and Men (School Work)

What themes do you see emerging in the first chapter? Think about the way Steinbeck describes animals and nature along with how they interact.

Of Mice and Men follow two men named Lennie and George. They both have the same dream that drives them forward together. Some themes that I find emerging in the first chapter are Lennie and George need each other, Lennie’s innocence and isolation.

Lennie has the sense to always be curious and can be considered being ‘mental’. He gets in to trouble in the town, Weed, sometimes by petting strange things. He likes to pet mice and in page 11 George says to Lennie, “Jus’ wanted to feel that girl’s dress – just’ wanted to pet it like a mouse.” They got in trouble, but George was there to look after Lennie and hide from the incident. During the book when George said Lennie was just going to be a burden to him all the time (on pgs. 12 – 13). Lennie said if he should let George go alone, but George didn’t want to be alone. So really, George needs Lennie because he doesn’t want to be alone and Lennie needs George to look after him.

            Lennie’s innocence stands out because he likes to pet soft things. He pets mice because they’re so soft, but every time his Aunt Clara gave him a mouse, he would pet it too hard and kill it. He likes to pet mice as shown in the book, “I don’t know where there is no other mouse. I remember a lady used to give ‘em to me – ever’ one she got. But that lady ain’t here.” He liked getting mice from her that he wished he could pet one all day without killing one. Lennie doesn’t know what he’s doing sometimes and he’s doing it in the most child-like innocent way. He was petting the girl’s dress when he didn’t mean to scare her. He just doesn’t think of what others think but he is curious.

            Lastly, isolation is a big part because Lennie and George don’t want to be like any other farmer who works alone and doesn’t talk to anyone. They both show that they need each other in order to get through life. Their dream is to get a house and get away from their town and the past.

            I believe these themes will be growing in the past few chapters and the farm will obvious be the place to start.